Annual health checks are vital to maintaining optimal pet health. On average, pets age five to eight times faster than humans. So performing a yearly examination is the same as a person seeing their doctor or dentist once every seven years. By two years of age most pets can be considered to have reached adulthood. At the age four, many are entering middle age. By seven years, many dogs, particularly larger breeds, are entering their senior years. Because pets age rapidly compared with people, major health changes can occur in a short amount of time.

With increasing age comes an increased risk of a variety of cancers, internal organ disease, metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, arthritis, heart disease and other serious conditions. And because today’s pets are living longer than ever, chances are many can experience a potentially serious illness during their lifetime.

At least once-a-year health checks optimize early diagnosis, treatment and even prevention of problems before they become life-threatening or debilitating.

As part of the annual health check your pet’s visit will include a full physical examination. This involes checking your pets external condition ( such as level of alertness, bodyweight, skin, eyes, teeth etc), as well as auscultation ( listening through a stethoscope) of their heart and lungs, abdominal palpation ( feeling of internal structures via gentle external pressure), recording body temperature and explanation of anything that may arise as a result.

You will be able to discuss any other routine health care matters such as vaccination, worming, heartworm prevention, skin or dental problems.